Statistics (M.S.) - Graduate - 2011 University Catalog

You are viewing the 2011 University Catalog. Please see the newest version of the University Catalog for the most current version of this program's requirements.

The Department of Mathematical Sciences offers a Master of Science
degree in Statistics and a Master of Science degree in Mathematics with
a Statistics concentration. The Department of Computer Science offers
the Master of Science in Computer Science with a concentration in
Applied Statistics. The degrees with concentrations in statistics are
discussed under degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science
respectively. The MS in Statistics has been developed for students
interested in becoming practitioners of statistics, who are trained in
statistical methodology. The programs emphasize the foundations and
concepts of statistics as well as the new and developing areas of
statistics. Though the applications of statistical sciences are
emphasized, the theoretical foundations are presented as well.
Specifically, students are prepared for professional work in the design
and analysis of statistical models, development and analysis of
statistical models, data analytic techniques and the associated
computational methods, and statistical computing. The curriculum is
designed to allow students to develop the skills needed to achieve
positions in the many pharmaceutical, chemical, health services, public
service and consumer product corporations and other industries that
require significant research and development efforts as well as data
analysis. Through the accessibility of computers and the availability
of powerful statistical software to analyze huge data sets, the use of
statistical methods has now become quite widespread in many industries.

The
MS in Statistics is of interest to undergraduate mathematics majors
looking for challenging career paths that apply their problem solving
skills to important social, health, medical and business issues;
undergraduate statistics majors who feel the need to expand their
knowledge; people currently working as statistical assistants; people
trained in biology, chemistry, physics or medicine who are involved in
the analysis of experiments; and computer scientists who are involved
in data analysis.

Our statistics
faculty is active at the national and local level of professional
societies and consult for Fortune 500 companies. Occasionally we bring
in statistical scientists from local telecommunications or
pharmaceutical firms to present courses on special topics in new and
developing areas of statistics.

The
Statistical Consulting Program, housed in the Department of
Mathematical Sciences, offers the campus community and off-campus
clients statistical advice in the design of experiments and studies as
well as the analysis and interpretation of the results. This program
also offers MS students the opportunity to obtain applied experience by
becoming involved in the data collection, analysis and interpretation
of ongoing projects. In addition, our proximity to the pharmaceutical
industry permits students the exciting option of an applied industrial
experience, working under the supervision of a practicing statistician
and a Graduate Program Coordinator.

Students
and faculty in the Department have access to state-of-the-art
interactive computing environments for data analysis and data graphics.
The SAS Application System and S-Plus are available on a Sun Local Area
Network of workstations and servers consisting of an Enterprise 450,
SparcServer 1000, Ultra 30, Ultra 10's, Sparc 20's, and Sparc 5's.
Minitab and the IMSL math/stat libraries run on a VAX cluster which
consists of DEC VAX 7620, 6610, 7620, 6310, 3500, 4000, 3500 microVAX
II with four LSI/11 micros connected to it, and two ALPHA 2100. These
VAX's may be accessed from the VAX laboratory that contains a variety
of DEC terminals or via the MSUnet from numerous remote sites. A wide
variety of PC software (such as JMP, MacSpin, Data Desk, Solo,
Statistix) is available in our PC laboratories filled with Power
Macintoshes and Dell Pentiums. Other software is described under
Mathematics and/or Computer Science. The network of Sun workstations
and servers and VAX cluster are connected to other computers via a
campus-wide ethernet which allows access to our statistical software
from throughout the campus and from off-campus dial-in. MSUnet, an
Ethernet Local Area Network, extends to most of the campus buildings
and links to the Internet allowing communications to colleges and
universities, research centers, libraries and databases around the
world.

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STATISTICS

Complete 33 semester hours including the following 4 requirement(s):

REQUIRED CORE COURSES

Complete the following 18 semester hours: . If equivalent of STAT 541 has been taken previously, see department for substitution.

CMPT590: Computer Simulation of Continuous Systems

Computer simulation of continuous systems with emphasis on conservation principles and governing equations, numerical treatment of systems of algebraic and differential equations, the use of software packages and simulation languages, verification and validation techniques, and interpretation and presentation of results. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CMPT 580, permission of graduate coordinator.

CMPT592: Data Base Design and Implementation

To develop in-depth understanding of data base concepts and issues. The major emphasis of the course is on the conceptual (logical) organization, retrieval, and manipulation of data. Required of majors. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CMPT 586, permission of graduate coordinator.

CMPT593: Structured System Design and Analysis

A study of the design of large scale computer systems relative to the constraints imposed by hardware, software and particular types of applications. Recent work in automated system design will be discussed. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

MATH584: Operations Research

An in-depth study of one or at most two topics in operations research, selected from linear programming and game theory, linear and nonlinear programming, queuing theory, inventory theory, simulation models. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: MATH 425 and STAT 440 and permission of graduate program coordinator.

Prerequisites: STAT 541 or STAT 548, and CMPT 183, and permission of graduate program coordinator.

STAT545: Practicum in Statistics I

An applied experience in which students work with practitioners in industry, government or research organizations utilizing statistical techniques in a research setting. Students will work with statisticians on projects involving experimental design and data collection as well as the analysis and interpretation of the data. May be repeated once. () 3 sh.

STAT561: Statistical Data Mining I

Introduction to the concepts and applications of a variety of data mining methods. Data mining is the process of selecting, exploring, and modeling large amounts of data to uncover previously unknown patterns in the data. Statistical methods covered include classification and regression trees, predictive modeling, and unsupervised learning. Hands-on applications to data sets from diverse fields. Statistical software is used. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: STAT 541 or STAT 548 or equivalent, permission of graduate program coordinator.

STAT562: Statistical Data Mining II

Continuation of STAT 561. An in-depth approach to the topics of STAT 561 including logistic regression, decision trees, classifier theory, predictive modeling and unsupervised learning methods. Mathematical details of these techniques as well as the computational methods for their implementation. Hands-on applications to data sets from diverse fields. Statistical software is used. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

STAT570: Statistical Consulting

An introduction to the statistical and interpersonal issues that arise in statistical consulting. Topics include communicating with scientists in other disciplines, technical writing and presentation, and statistical tools for consulting. Lectures center around real case studies presented by the instructor and invited speakers. Statistical software is used. Emphasis of the course is on the scientific, statistical, computational, and communication skills that a statistical consultant needs for interacting effectively with researchers from a wide range of disciplines. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: STAT 541 or equivalent, permission of graduate program coordinator.

STAT597: Research Methods in Statistical Science

Preparation for research in statistical science. Application of mathematics and computing science to the development, modeling, validation and evaluation of statistical research methods. Identification of statistical issues in real world problems and novel applications of statistical methods to these problems. Development of research proposals in statistical science. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: MATH 540 and permission of graduate program coordinator.

STAT645: Advanced Topics in Statistics

Recent developments in statistical science. Topics such as data mining, statistical genomics, computationally intensive data-analytic methods, statistical consulting, dynamic statistical graphics and visualization, applied time series analysis. May be repeated with no limit as long as the topic is different. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

STAT647: Practicum in Statistics II

An applied experience in which students work with practitioners in industry, government or research organizations utilizing advanced statistical techniques in a research setting. Students will be expected to exhibit the ability to work independently on projects involving advanced techniques in experimental design, analysis and interpretation of data. May be repeated once. () 3 sh.

Prerequisites: STAT 542, STAT 545, at least one 600-level course, and permission of graduate program coordinator.

STAT648: Advanced Statistical Methods

Advanced statistical concepts and methods used by statistical scientists in the analysis of designed experiments and observational studies. Response surface methodology, analysis of covariance, the general linear model, the cell means model and the analysis of variance of unbalanced or messy data. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

STAT649: Independent Study in Statistics

Independent study under the direction of a faculty member, offering the opportunity to pursue topics in statistics which may be outside the scope of regular curricular offerings or may be an extension of an existing course or courses. Approval must be obtained from the graduate coordinator and faculty advisor. May be repeated once for a maximum of 6.0 credits during the graduate program. () 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Permission of graduate program coordinator and departmental approval.

STAT698: Master's Thesis

Independent study under faculty adviseent. Students must follow the MSU Thesis Guidelinies, which may be obtained from the Graduate School. Students should take STAT 699 if they do not complete STAT 698 within the semester. () 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Permission of graduate program coordinator.

STAT699: Master's Thesis Extension

Continuation of Master's Thesis project. Thesis extension will be graded IP (In Progress) until thesis is completed, at which time a grade of Pass or Fail will be given. Course may be repeated. () 1 sh.